National Coach of the Year:

TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State

There are a lot of great coaches in college basketball. Names like Bill Self, Scott Drew, and Kelvin Sampson. After this season, it will be time to add Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger to the same table as those guys. Otzelbeger is entering his fourth season with the Cyclones coming off a 29-8 season in which they reached the Sweet 16. Under Otzelberger, Iowa State has not finished worse than 21st in the country in points allowed per game. Not bad, considering how good the Big 12 is. The offense is what will finally put the Cyclones over the hump this year and get Otzelberger the recognition he deserves. In his first season, they were 308th in points per game. Then 284th, and then 121st last season. This year, he has recruited a team that will not only be dominant defensively, per usual, but will also be great offensively. They can really shoot the ball, and this year they will have a more talented frontcourt on the offensive end. That is all on the recruiting of Otzelberger. He coaches with some of the best energy in the country and his team plays in a tough environment. The Cyclones will be tough to beat and should remain a top ten team for most of the season and have a great shot at a deep run in March. TJ Otzelberger will deserve his flowers when this season is all said and done.